SCIENTOLOGY BELIEFS

While the Scientology religion owes a spiritual debt to the Eastern faiths, it was born in the West and its religious beliefs are expressed in the technological language of the mid-twentieth century. Scientology adds a precise and workable technology for applying spiritual concepts to every aspect of life.

It is a matter that each individual must examine for himself. Scientologists believe man is more than a mind and body and that it is he, himself, the spirit, who can control his mind and body.

Do you think your body would do anything by itself if it were not guided by you, the being?

What is the Scientology concept ofGod?

The Church has no dogma concerning God, and each person's concept is probably different. As a person becomes more aware of himself, others, the environment and God, each person attains his own certainty as to who God is and exactly what God means to him. The author of the universe exists. How God is symbolized or manifested is up to each individual to find for himself.

In his book Science of Survival, L. Ron Hubbard writes: "No culture in the history of the world, save the thoroughly depraved and expiring ones, has failed to affirm the existence of a Supreme Being. It is an empirical observation that men without a strong and lasting faith in a Supreme Being are less capable, less ethical and less valuable to themselves and society.... A man without an abiding faith is, by observation alone, more of a thing than a man."

Can't God be the only one to helpman?

Scientologists take the maxim quite to heart that God helps those who help themselves. They believe that each person has the answers to the mysteries of life; all he requires is awareness of these answers, and this is what Scientology helps a person achieve. Man is accustomed to asking for pat answers. Scientology requires that the person think for himself and thus help himself become more intelligent, happy and healthy.

Does Scientology believe inbrotherly love?

Yes, and perhaps goes a step further. L. Ron Hubbard wrote that "To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe."

Why do Scientologists want to help people?

For several reasons. First, because Scientologists themselves have been helped enormously-and they want others to share the same successes. Second, Scientologists understand that life is not lived alone. An individual has more than just one dynamic (the urge to survive as self). He wants to help his family, his groups, mankind itself and living things survive better.

Does Scientology recognize goodand evil?

Yes, in Scientology, a very clear distinction is made between good and evil. Those actions which enhance survival on the majority of the eight aspects or dynamics of life are good, and those which destroy or deny these aspects of life are evil. Decisions are then based on enhancing the majority of these dynamics of life.

Good may be defined as constructive. Evil may be defined as destructive.

Does Scientology believe man issinful?

It is a basic tenet of Scientology that man is basically good, but that he is aberrated (capable of erring or departing from rational thought or behavior) and therefore commits harmful acts or sins, thus reducing his awareness and potential power.

Through Scientology he can confront his actions, erase the ignorance and aberration which surrounds them and know and experience truth again.

All religions seek truth. Freedom of the spirit is only to be found on the road to truth.

Sin is composed, according to Scientology, of lies and hidden actions and is therefore untruth.

Will Scientology put one in controlof his mind?

Yes. As you are a spiritual being, quite separate from your mind and your body, Scientology will help you achieve a far better command over your mind, just as it helps you to intelligently control all aspects of your life.

Is Scientology about the mind?

No. Scientology is about the individual himself as separate and distinct from the mind. Dianetics concerns the mind and contains the most advanced technology of the mind man has.

Does Scientology believe in mindover matter?

Scientology addresses you-not your mind, not your body, but you.

Scientologists have found that the spirit is potentially superior to material things, and that the spirit, i.e., you, if cleansed of past traumas, transgressions and aberrations, can make miraculous changes in the physical universe that would not otherwise be possible.

Does Scientology believe one canexist outside of the body?

Before entering Scientology many people experience the feeling of looking down on one's body, and by achieving greater spiritual awareness through Scientology, this experience becomes nothing out of the ordinary. Scientology believes that man is not his body, his mind or his brain. He, a spiritual force, energizes the physical body and his life.

Scientology proved, for the first time, that man was a spiritual being, not an animal.

Does Scientology believe inreincarnation or past lives?

Reincarnation is a definite system and is not part of Scientology. It is a fact that unless one begins to handle aberrations built up in past lives, he doesn't progress.

The definition of the term reincarnation has been altered from its original meaning. The word has come to mean "to be born again in different life forms," whereas its actual definition is "to be born again into the flesh or into another body."

Today in Scientology many people have certainty that they have lived lives prior to their current one. These are referred to as past lives, not as reincarnation. Individuals are free to believe this or not; past lives are not a dogma in Scientology, but generally Scientologists, during auditing, experience a past life and then know for themselves that they have lived before.

To believe one had a physical or other existence prior to the identity of the current body is not a new concept-but it is an exciting one.

In Scientology, you are given the tools to handle upsets and aberrations from past lives that adversely affect you in present time, thus freeing you to live a much happier life.

Does Scientology believe in charity and welfare?

It does. However, Scientologists also believe in the principle that exchange is necessary. If a person only receives and never gives, he will not be a happy person and will lose his own self-respect. Therefore, any Scientology-sponsored charity programs also encourage those receiving the charity to make some form of contribution by helping others so that self-respect can be maintained.

Does Scientology hold any political views?

Scientology is nonpolitical. By its Creed, "All men have inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist or support their own organizations, churches and governments." Scientologists are free to hold their own political views, vote for the candidates of their choice, etc., and are not given direction from the Church as to what position to take on political issues or candidates. The Church believes there should be separation of church and state.

Can children participate in Scientology?How?

Yes, there are many children who participate in Scientology. There are no age restrictions as to who can take Scientology courses or receive auditing. Some churches also deliver special courses and study programs specifically designed for young people. If the person is below the legal age, he must first get written consent from his parents or guardian to take Scientology services. Scientologists generally want their children to have Scientology available to them so are quite agreeable to have their children take Scientology services.

What does Scientology say about the raising of children?

L.Ron Hubbard has written a great deal about raising children. In Scientology, children are recognized as people who should be given all the respect and love granted adults.

Scientologists believe children should be encouraged to contribute to family life, not just be "seen and not heard" as the old sayinggoes. Children are spiritual beings, and as such they need to exchange with those around them in order to thrive and live productive, happy lives. For more information on handling children, the book Child Dianetics and the course "How to Be a Successful Parent" are recommended.

Most children raised in good Scientology homes are above average in ability and quickly begin to understand how and why people act as they do. Life thus becomes a lot safer and happier for them.

Can one make up his own mind about Scientology?

One can and indeed one should. Scientology enables you to think for yourself. There is no purpose served in studying Scientology because someone else wants you to. But if you've taken a good look at your life and have decided that you want to make it better, the best thing is to start and find out for yourself what Scientology can do for you. One should read one of the basic books by L. Ron Hubbard, such as Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health or Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought.

What is real in Scientology for you is what you find in it that is real for you.

What is the Scientology cross?

It is an eight-pointed cross representing the eight parts or dynamics of life through which each individual is striving to survive. These parts are: the urge toward existence as self, as an individual; the urge to survive through creativity, including the family unit and the rearing of children; the urge to survive through a group of individuals or as a group; the urge toward survival through all mankind and as all mankind; the urge to survive as life forms and with the help of life forms such as animals, birds, insects, fish and vegetation; the urge to survive of the physical universe, by the physical universe itself and with the help of the physical universe and each one of its component parts; the urge to survive as spiritual beings or the urge for life itself to survive; the urge toward existence as infinity. To be able to live happily with respect to each of these spheres of existence is symbolized by the Scientology cross.

As a matter of interest, the cross as a symbol predates Christianity.

What religious holidays do Scientologists celebrate?

Scientologists celebrate several major holidays annually. These include the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard (March 13); the date marking the initial publication of Dianetics (May 9); Auditor's Day, in honor of all auditors (second Sunday in September); and the International Association of Scientologists Anniversary, to mark the founding of this organization which unites, supports and protects the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world (October 7).

Additionally, each local country or area may observe itsown significant dates, such as the founding of the church in its area or the opening of the first Dianetics or Scientology organization in that country. Members of the Church also observe traditional religious holidays such as Christmas.

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